'Pre-season predictions will tip us for relegation - I think they are wrong'

After the many key departures this summer, a lot of pre-season predictions will inevitably tip us for relegation.

But I think they are wrong.

Of course it was a massive blow to lose Thomas Frank, captain Christian Norgaard and Bryan Mbeumo, who was the only one expected to leave, while Yoane Wissa's absence has been disappointing.

My main hope for the campaign is that Keith Andrews' appointment as head coach proves to be a masterstroke and leaves the pundits feeling embarrassed.

As I said in my last column, nobody can know whether Andrews, a head coach for the first time, will prove to be good at his new job - only time will tell. However, the stats show that last term he was an excellent set piece coach - another role he had never done before.

While I doubt we will match last season's top-half finish, we have enough about us and enough good players to end up well clear of any trouble. In the circumstances, that would be an achievement.

My fear for the season though is that we may struggle to score goals and that could cost us some points.

Mbeumo and Wissa scored 39 between them last season and, while Kevin Schade will hopefully find the net as regularly as he did at times in 2024-25, it could take Igor Thiago, in effectively his first full campaign with us, a while to adjust and get up and running.

This and any potential glut of injuries could see us looking over our shoulders occasionally.

The defence, though, is stronger than last season with no departures and the full return of Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry, which is like having two new signings at the back.

That solidity should see us through safely.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

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